With one vote hanging in the balance, Griswold's first selectman contest appears to be leaning toward Republican Kevin Skulczyck.

A recount is scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 13 in Griswold Town Hall after an error in the calculation process related to Election Day registrations rendered Tuesday night's original set of results invalid.

Because of a new state policy, this year, for the first time, eligible voters were allowed to register to vote on Election Day.

The original count — which had incumbent Democratic First Selectman Phil Anthony ahead by 16 votes — was followed by a second, unofficial count once the error was discovered. The second count resulted in different numbers — with Skulczyck winning by one vote — frustrating election officials to the point that they decided to declare the results tentative, pending a recount.

Meanwhile, Town Clerk Ellen Dupont said she recounted the ballots herself Tuesday night and came up with the same set of results as the unofficial second count.

"It's still one vote," Dupont said.

In the event of a tie after the recount, there would be another election.

Town officials were preparing to lock up the ballots on Wednesday morning.

Incumbent Democratic First Selectman Phil Anthony said he knew it was going to be a close race.

"Both of my opponents provided a very competitive campaign," he said.

Even if something changes with the final count, Skulczyck will likely have a seat on the Board of Selectmen, making him the lone Republican seated with two Democrats.

Griswold resident Don Ouillette said that, in itself, could present some challenges.

"I think now he's going to be stifled," Ouillette said.

Connecticut state statute says when there is less than a one-half percent difference in votes between candidates, or less than 20, a recount is required.

Such was the case in the first selectman race, as well as for seats on the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Finance.

"That's how it is," Ouillette said, "Every vote counts. It shows how important every vote is."

In the finance board race, candidates Democrat Gary Levy and Republican Richard Eighme were within 20 votes of one other, with Levy in the lead.

For the planning commission, Republican Benjamin Hull and Democrat Daniel Deguire also came within 20 votes of each other, with Hull in the lead by only four votes.

While the machine votes are considered solid, election officials must hand-count the absentee ballots Election-Day registration ballots. There were 40 absentee ballots and 26 Election-Day registration votes on Tuesday.

"We have to do those by hand, and then we'll throw everything else in the machine," Dupont said.